THE Federal Coalition has announced a $3.8 million commitment to build a new and improved food bank facility at Champion Life Church.
The funding, reliant on a win in the Federal Election, aims to address the community’s cost-of-living crisis and growing needs, as well as enhancing the services provided by the church.
Champions Life Church Senior Pastor Grant Cunningham said the funding would help the church triple the size of its shop.
“If someone comes to us in hard times, we offer hampers, which we will pack for them and talk to them about what they need. It’s not just a hamper off the shelf; it’s tailored for their circumstance,” he said. “We want to help people in their everyday needs.
“We really believe here at support services that we are a hand up, not just a handout.
“We want to help people get back on their feet so that they can live the life that they need to live.”
Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike said: “Champions Church is on the front lines of the cost-of-living crisis [and have] seen a four-fold increase in demand for their services over the last few years.”
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor highlighted the importance of such initiatives in the current economic climate.
“This is an organisation that doesn’t just help people out in the short term; it seeks to help them out in the longer term – that is exactly what we need right now,” he said.
“We have to deal with the short-term symptoms and get people back on their feet, and that’s what this wonderful service does here.”
